Fress



M. H. BALLARD Sept. 11, 1923.

PRESS 2 Sheets$heet 1 Original Filed March 13, 1920 IIII'IYIIII Sept. 11, 1923.

r M. H. BALLARD PRESS Original Filed March 125. 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 11, 1923.

UNITED STATES rat MILTON n. BALLARD. or LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS, assr'eno'n ro umrnnsnon'na- CHINERY CORPORATION; 013 rarnnson, NEW JERSEY, A oonronarron or new JERSEY.

PRESS.

Application filed March 13, 1920, Serial No. 365,399. Renewed March 17, 1922. SerialNo. 544,686.

To all whom it may concern:

' Be it known that L'MILTON H. BALLARD, a citizen of the. United States, residing at L nn, in the county o t-Essex and State of 5 M assachusetts, have invented certain Improvements in Presses, of which the following description, in connection with theaccompanying drawings, is a specification, like reference characters on the drawings indicating like parts in the several figures.

This invention relates to presses and more particularly to presses'of the. type employed in cutting out sheet material by the use of treel'ymovable dies.

A well-known machine of the class refe-rred to is the beam dinker' which comprises ch'aracteristically a. relatively long and narrow; work sup-porting bed and a beam or cross-head which is reciprocable toward-and from the bed in pressure applying operations. Commonly the beam in its upward position of rest is spaced from the bed a-i'ew inches only, a little more than the height of the largest die provided for use with the machine. The disadvantages of such a constructiomj for certain 'kinds of work, reside in the restricted space between the bed and the beam'within which the die and the work must be manipulated and in the difiiculty of seeing into this space to observe the characteristics of thework and to position the die properly with respect to the work. In other words, the beam in'the construction described not only restricts the space within which manipulation of the dieand work 'must take place but limits materially the amount of light whichreaches the work. For work of such a character that plenty of light and space sufficientior accuratepositioning of the die on the work are prime considerations, there has been used for many yearsa beam dinker wherein the beam is spaced a considerable distance from the bed and is provided with a presser memher which is slidable along the beam into position over the die wherever located on the work. -After each operation the presser member is pushed to one side while the die is being re-positioned on the work. As heretofore constructed these machines have proved to be far from satisfactory for a number of reasons. More particularly, the construction and arrangement of parts of these machines have been such as to permit wit-boa e pt at a great d a of. 9%?

motion between the presser member and its I supporting beam so that very considerable backlash occurred during the operation of the machine which led toincreased wear and occasionallyto breakage ofparts. Also deterioration of the connections between the presser member and its supporting beam was relatively rapid and this afi'ected materially the ease with which the presser member could be shifted. along the beam and rendered the force necessary to shift the presser member variable and uncertain.

Another factor. which contributed to lowerv considerably the efliciency of these machines was the result, of the ease, rela-' tively speaking, block could be shifted along the presser member since it imposed uponthepperator the necessity ot-eXerting force tostop the presser block in the desired position, otherwise the presserb-lock would continue to move under its acquired momentum. This defect in the construction became manifest when the 'presserblock was moved toone side .to uncover the die after a presser applying operation. Commonly the operator shoved the block to one side-andlmade no attempt to limit the extent-0t its movement to inoperative position with the result that the block moved much farther than necessary to uncover the die and had to be recovered at the expense of considerable .efl'ort on the part of theoperatorinrepositioning it over the die preliminary to the succeeding cutting operation. Also in. moving thepresser block to operative position an app'reciable e-tforthad to be exerted: inpositioning the block overthe die'sin'ce itsm0- mentum tended to'carry it beyond operative position. V

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved press whichwill be free from the above-mentioned and. other disadvantages and which will be especiallysim ple in construction and eflicient inv operation. I I i In one aspect the invention comprises the provision in a press having relatively reciprocable presser' members of a presser block mounted on one of said presser mein bers and movable along said presser memher into and out of position over the work incomb-ination with means'for taking uplost motion between the presser block and i pp rting p e er membe and P e with which the presser such relation tothe presser member that lostmotion between the block and member is reduced to the minimum.

In still another aspect the invention resides in a press wherein the presser block is supported on the presser beam by means :of flanges integral with or fixedly attached to the block in association with other connecting means between the'block and beam comprising antifriction means which supports the block on the beam while the'latter is at rest.

In the illustrative embodiment of the invention the presser block is provided with plates slidably mounted in the block in combination with spring means for supporting'the bloclc just out of contact with the under surface of the upper presser member.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means for assisting the operator to locate the presser block in operative position. In the illustrative construction this means comprises a brake under the control of the operatorso that it may be released when the presser block is to be shifted to operative position and instantly applied again when the block reaches the desired position, thus relieving the operator of the necessity of exerting force to stop the block in operative position as has heretofore been necessary. This same brake mechanism may also be used to bring the presser block to a stop after it has been moved to uncover the die and to prevent excess movement of the presser block. In the illustrative embodiment of the invention the brake is mounted on the presser block and is arranged to be controlled by the same handle that is used to move the block along the presser member. Moreover, the construction is preferably such that the brake is automatically applied when the handle is released by the operator.

Other features of the invention, together with certain details of construction and combinations of parts, will be described in the specification and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a frontview illustrating one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. .2 is a perspective view partly in section of the presser block showing its conpections with the supporting presser mem- Fig. 311s adetail view of oneofthe antifriction rollers which support the presser block;-and

Fig. A: is a perspective view partly in section illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the illustrative machine therevis-shown a work supporting bed 4 supported adjustably on the frame 6 of the machine, adjustment'of the bed being obtained through proper manipulation of adjusting members 8 according to a well known arrangement. For co-operation with the work supporting bed 41in pressure applying operations there is provided across-head orbeam 10 mounted at each end upon a pair of rods 12 which are operatively connected at their lower ends to the main shaft '14 and are mounted in the frame for vertical reciprocation so as to carry the beam 10 towardand from the cutting'beda at each revolution of the main shaft. Mounted on the said shaft is a power pulley 16, suitable clutch and brake mechanisms "(not-shown) being provided for connecting'the power pulley to the shaft and disconnecting the-same so that upon asingle depression of the treadle 18, the shaft-makes a single revolution and is then disconnected from the source of power. During this revolution of the main shaft the presser beam'lO is moved'toward the work support-ing bed to operate upon the work and is then returned to its uppermost position as the position'of rest. In the intervals of operation of the machine the work is properly positioned on the work supporting bed and the die located on the work in the desired relation. As shown, the beam 10 in its position of restis spaced a considerable distance from the cutting :bed 4 in order to provide room for manipulation of the work and of the die and space for access of all the light necessary for proper inspection of the work. Instead of moving the presser beam through'the very considerable distance necessary for direct co-operation with the bed there is provided a presser member or presser block 20 'slidably mounted on the beam 1O so'that it may be positioned over the die wherever the latter maybe on'the bed "4: to force the die through the work After the beam is moved to its uppermost position, the presser block 20 may be readily *moved toward one side, thus uncovering the die and the immediate field of operations andproviding space necessaryforr'the manipulation of the workand the proper positioning of the die for the succeeding operation.

In the construction :shown, "the :presser block 20 is provided with flangesZZ which engage other flanges -24 which provide guideways on: each :side of the cross-head 10. In the construction of the block and its flanges it is found as a practical'mat-ter that an appreciable space must be left between the upper face of the'flange 24 and the lower faces of the flanges 22 when the upper face of the block 20 is in'contact with the lower surface, of the beam 10, the said space amounting ordinarily to 3 of an inch. In the operation of the machine this amount of lost motion between the beam and the presser block would manifest itself by a very considerable backlashing that would develop accompanied by an undesirable amount of jarring in the machine and lead to excessive wear of the parts and rapid de terioration of the machine as a whole. In order to obviate this objectionable feature of the construction of prior machines, there is provided a supporting means for the block which will take up the lost motion between the block and the beam during upward movement of these parts and thus prevent the backlashing that used to occur when the beam arrived at its upper position of rest. This is accomplished without in the least interfering with the ease with which the presser block may be shifted along the beam. In fact, the means referred to will add to the ease with which the block may be moved since it will provide anti-friction rollers between the block and the beam as will be hereinafter described. As shown, the said means for supporting the block 20 comprises two plates 2.6 one on each side of the block arranged to slide vertically in guideways 28 in the block and retained thereon for limited movement with respect thereto by means of pins 30 which project from the block into slots 32 in the plate 26, the said pins being in the form of headed bolts with washers 34 interposed between the head of the bolt and the plate. At the upper edge of each plate there is provided a plurality of bearings 36 each receiving the shaft 38 of a roller 40 arranged to engage the upper surface of the flange 24 on the beam 10. WVhen the plates 26 are secured to the block 20 in proper adjustment thereto they will support the block on the flanges 24 so that the entire weight of the block is borne by the rollers 40, thus rendering the lateral shifting of the block an easy operation for the operator. In the preferred construction, the plates 26 are so arranged as to support the block 20 through a spring means which, in the illustrative construction, comprises a bolt 42 securely fixed to an extension 44 of the block 20 and extending upwardly through an opening in a corresponding abutment or extension 46 of the plate 26. Surrounding the bolt 42 and interposed between the projection 46 and the head of the bolt is a relatively heavy spring 48. It will be clear that adjustment of the nut 50 will regulate the tension of the spring 48 and that these springs 48, one on each side of the block 20. support the block and that adjustment of the springs can be made to hold the upper surface of the block 20 just out of contact with the under surface of the beam 10. With the blocksupported in the manner described there is practically no contacting of surfaces between the block and the beam to produce friction and thus retard or resist shifting of the block'along the beam. In other words, while the beam 10 is at rest, the block 20 is supported entirely from the anti-friction rollers 40 which are so constructed as to reduce to a minimum the effects of friction between the supporting surfaces. Referring to the anti-friction rollers it is clear that any of the well-known constructions of such rollers may be utilized in the present machine. As shown, each roller 40 is mounted on its shaft 88-with a ball race interposed between the roller and shaft, the said race consisting of annular plates 52 spaced from each other". and grooved to provide a race for the balls 54, the said annular plates being retained in the roller by means of a washer or, disk 56 secured to the end of the shaft 38.

An important feature of the construction resides in the provision of the flanges 22 as block supporting and guiding means. WVhen the beam 10 starts upwardly at the end of a pressure applying operation the block 20 is lifted by the flanges 22 thus relieving the rollers 40 and the roller bearings from the hammering that so soon results in deterioration and evenbreakageof these parts in prior machines- That the flanges 22 sustain the greater part of the strai-nincident to overcoming the inertia of the block 20 during the first part of the upward movement is due to the yielding of the springs 48. However, as pointed out above, during the latter part of the upward movement, the springs lift the flanges 22 ofl" of the flange 24 so that the rollers 40 support theblock in such closed juxtaposition tothe underside of the beam that no backlashing takes place whenthe beam comes to rest at the end of its upward movement.

Mounted on thepresscr block 20 is .a hanidle 58 for the convenience of the operator in shifting the blockalong, the presser member or beam 10, the said handle comprising preferably a rod which extends practically the whole length of the block. Conveniently this handle is-used to control a means for holding the block in the position to which it has been moved by the; operator. As stated in the foregoing description, presser blocks mounted on guideways through the interposition of anti-friction rolls are almost invariably moved beyond the desired location because of the momentum of the block. Thus in the operation of the machine the operator must exert a certain amount of effort in stoppingthe presser block in the desired position above the die, I Moreover, in

- which it has been moved, the said means comprising, in the illustrative construction, a brake mechanism arranged to be controlled by the handle for moving the presser block. As shown the brake mechanism comprises a plurality of friction blocks, one of which is illustrated at 60 (Fig. 2) mounted upon or integral with a plunger 62 vertically slidable in the block '20 and urged upwardly by the spring 6%. The construction is preferably such that downward movement of the handle 58 removes the brake which is again applied as soon as the handle is released by the operator. In the illustrative construction the plungers 62 pass through openings in the form of slots in the arms 66 of the handle, the said arms bring: pivoted to the block as indicated at 68. It will be clear that downward movement of the handle 58 will permit the brake member-s60 to drop away from the lower surface of thev beam 10 and that upon release of thehandle the spring 64: will elevate the handle, and perforce the blocks 60, and carry the latter into frictional contact with the under surface of the beam, thus holding the block in the position to which it has been moved by the operator. It will be observed that the mechanism is such as to automatically apply the brake whenever the operator lets go of the handle. In the illustrative device the plunger 62 has a lower reduced portion 70 which passes through the slotin the arm 66 and thus a shoulder is provided whichengages the upper surface of the arm so that the plunger is lifted to apply the brake on upward movement of the handle. If desired the upper surface of the brake members 60 may be roughened or provided with a friction pad or plate to ensure the requisite braking action. lVhile in the illustrative device the force of gravity is depended upon to move the brake members downwardly when the handle is depressed it is obvious that spring means, for example, maybe applied extending between the plunger 62 and the arm 66 to'pull the brake members downwardly.

In the species shown in Figure 4 of the drawings a block 20 is mounted on the beam 10 for sliding movement along the flanges 24 of the beam by means. of rollers 40 carried individually at the upper endsofplates 72 mounted for vertical sliding movement atveach 0f the four corners of the block 20. As shown, the plate 72 is recessed at 74 to receive the upper portion of a bolt 76, the lower end of which is fixed to a face plate 78 which is securely attached to the block 20 by any well known means, that shown comprising a plurality of bolts 80 which pass clear through the block 20 and secure both plates 7 8 to the block. In the illustrative construction the plate 72 is provided with an enlarged perforated portion 82 through which the bolt 76 passes and between the head of the bolt and the portion 82 there is located a relatively heavy spring 84 which can be readily tensioned by adjusting the head of the bolt, an opening 86 being provided in the face plate 78 by which access may be had to adjust the head of the bolt. It will be understood that the tension of the springs should be such as to support the' block 20 just out of contact with the lower face of the beam 10 when the latter is at rest. Thus the block 20 is supported bythe rollers 40 while the block is being adjusted along the beam, the under surfaces of the flanges 88 being out of contact with the upper surface of the flange 24 during such sliding adjustment. It will be understood, however, that when the beam 10 starts upwardly after a pressure applying operation the weight of the block 20 will be borne by the flanges 88 which are fixedly attached to or integral with the plates 78 on the block 20. Because of this construction the rollers 40 are relieved of the danger of clamage or breakage to which they would be subjected if they were forced to sustain the weight of the block 20 as the beam starts upwardly at the end of a pressure applying operation. On thev other hand, it is considered that the weight and tension of the springs 84 aresuch that the rollers 40 are carrying the block 20 as the beam 10 approaches the upper limit of its movement in such manner that the upper face of the block 20 is almost in contact with the lower face of the beam 10 and hence there will be very little if any jar and backlashing of the block 20 with respect to the beam '10 when the latter comes to rest at the end of its upward movement. In the preferred construction the rollers 40 are mounted upon stub shafts 90 carried in the upper ends of the plates 72, the said stub shafts having each a conical portion 92 located in the bearing in the plate 72 and so constructed and arranged that wear on the bearings may be readily taken up by proper adjustment of the nut 94. Otherwise the rollers 40 are constructed as shownin Fig. 3 and as described earlier in this specification.

In orderthat the rollers 40 may yield laterally of the beam 10 when an unusual amount of lateral force is applied to the *block 20 the plates-72'which carry the rollers are mounted in the face plates 78 so that there is a certain amount of looseness or sidev play with respect to the upper ends of the plates, provision being. made for-taking up yieldingly any tendency to lateral movement,

of the plates through spring means which comprises, in the construction shown, a plate or bar 96 which extendsacross the face of:

the plate 72 and projects into recesses 98 in the plate 78, which recesses loosely receive the ends of the bar 96. Mounted within a recess or chamber in the plate 78 is a spring 100 which presses upon the bar 96 and holds it yieldingly at one limit of its movementin' which the bar 96 retains the plate 72, yieldingly in normal position. If now the block 20, due tothe stresses and strains to which the parts are subjected during the operation of the machine, should tend to move transversely of the bar, the rollers 40 can yield with respect to the blo ckl2 0 and thus es cape damage since such lateral movement will be limited by the flanges 88 carried fixedly or integrally by the plates 78.

In this embodiment of the inventiom'the means for holding the block 20 in operative position and for holding the lattenlin operative position at oneside of the work ency to tip the block and thus disturb or interfere with its support by the anti-friction rollers. 7 comprises a brake member 102 having a friction surface or plate 104 designed to contact with the upper-surface of the flange 24 on the beam 10, the said member 102 be-' 1 ing slidable'vertically in a guideway in'the plate 78. Connected to the-member1Q2 is a bolt 106 which passes slidably through spaced projections on the plate 78, 2, spring 108.being provided to urge the clamp member 102 downwardly into clamping relation with respect to the flange 24. In the 'con' struction shown the lower end of the bolt 106 carries a roller 110 to contact with a cam member 112 securely attached to a bar 114, the latter having a handle 116 and being pivoted practically at the center of the block 20 upon a pivot 118. As shown, the plate 78 has an opening 120 through which the bar 114 projects and along which it may move as it is operated tomove'the cam 112 for the purpose of controlling the braking means. It will be understood that the cam 112 is in effect a double cam so ar-' ranged that when the roller '110 iscontacting with the lowest part or intermediate portion of the double cam, the brake isapplied. In other words the brake member ate as braking means. I

above described has end walls which limit the movement of the bar '114 and thus .of'

As shown; the braking means 102.is pulled firmly down into contact with thefla'nge'24 by means of the spring-"108, when thehandle 116 is incentralior neutral position. I To release the braking means. the handle116 may be moved in either direction, upon'which movement thecam 112 opera-ting on the roller 110 raises the braking member 102 and thus permits'the block 20 to 'be slid freely along the "beam support upon the antifriction rollers 40.

form of the invention there is no tendency to tip the block on the beam and thus cause surfaces ofthe bloc-k other than thei'oller sufaces to contactwith the beam andoper- It will be observed in releasing the brake in this The opening 120 the handle'116 relatively to the block 20 so that movement of the handle 116 in eitherv direction first removes the brake and then causes thejblock20 tomove along with the handle, Assoon as the operator ceases pullg ingonthe handle 116, and this will occur when the block 20 has reached theidesired" position over the dieor has been moved to inoperative position at one side of the die, the said handle will be moved to its central position through the operation-of the spring 108 which, by its expansive pressure, causes the roller '110 to move-the cam 112 and, therefore, thevbar 114 until the i'oller 'reaches its lowermost position which is obviously when the bar 114 "is pra'c tic'ally 'at the center of the slot 120. In mo'v-l i'ng the' block 20 by means' Qf the handle 1 16, the latter is grasped by the operator and moved in the direction in which itis desired to move the block and ,thisfmovement' of the handle 116 at once releasesthe brakingimeans as above described. I

In the operation of the machine thework is first positioned on the cutting bed 4 and the die located in proper location thereto after which the presser block is shifted into position over the die and the pressure applying operation effected by tripping the clutchion actuation of thetreadle 18. At the end of a single revolution the 'presser block is raised off of the work and can ioo then be shifted laterally in either direction to uncover the die so that the latter may be refpositio-ned on the work. In order that the presser block may be readilyshifted by the'operator ahandle is 'attachedtothe block inapositio-n to be easily accessible tothe operator. a -Having thus described the invention, whatjis claimed as new and, desired'to be secured by Letters Patent of'the United States is:' i I Y i 1. Inamachine of the class describe-d,-a work supporting bed, a reciprocable .presser member having aguideway, in combination with a presser block slidably supported on said guideway and movable along the under surface of the presser member, and means interposed between the presser member and I block for taking up lost motion or" the block and preventing backlash of the block duringthe operation of the machine.

2. In a machine of the class described, a work supporting bed, a presser member reciprocable toward and from said bed and provided with a guideway, in combination with a block slidable along the gui-d-eway so that it may be positioned over any desired portion of the bed, and means comprising a spring for taking up lost motion between on the bed, and means for supporting the block on said flanges comprising plates slid ably mounted on said block, and spring means operating on the plates so as to hold the block just out of contact with the lower I surface of the presser member and thus take up lost motion between the block and presser member.

4. In a machine of the class described, a work supporting bed, a presser member movable toward and from the bed and hav ing guiding and supporting flanges. a presser block movable along the presser member to any desired position over the bed, comprising a block having flanges engaging over the flanges on the presser member, plates slidably mounted on said block and carrying rollers for supporting the block on the flanges of the presser member, and spring meansinterposed between the plates and the block for sustaining the block so that its upper face is supported just short of contact with the under surface of the presser member.

5. In a machine of the class described, a work supporting bed, a presser member reciprocable toward and from the bed and having guiding and supporting flanges on opposite edges thereof, a presser block slidable along the member into desired position over the bed comprising a block having flanges for engaging the flanges on the presser member. cheek plates slidably mount ed on the block and carrying rollers for engaging the flanges of the presser member, means comprising pins for limiting the movement of the cheek plates on the block, and spring meansinterposed between the cheek plates and the block for supporting the'block so that the upper face thereof is just out of contact with the lower face of the presser member.

6. In a machine of the class described, a work supporting bed, a presser member reciprocable toward and from the bed, a presser block slidably mounted on the presser member so that it may be positioned over the die wherever the latter may be located" on the work, and yielding connections between the presser block and presser member for holding the presserblock with its upper surface contiguous to the under surface of the presser member.

7. In a machine of the class described, a

work supporting bed, a presser member reciprocable toward and from said bed and along the guideway so that it may be posi' tioned over any desired portion of the bed, a brake for holding the presser block in the position to which it has been moved by the operator, and manually operable means for controlling said brake.

9. In a machine of the class described, a work supporting bed, a presser member reciprocable toward and from said bed and provided with a guideway, a block slidable along the guideway so that it may be positioned over any desired portion of the bed, a brake for holding the presser block in the position to which it has been moved by the operator and ,a handle for moving the presser block alongthe presser member and for controlling said brake.

10. In a machine of the class described, a work supp'orting'bed, a presser member re ciprocable toward and from said bed and provided with a gui'deway, ablock slidable along the guideway so that it may be positioned over any desired portion of the bed, a brake for holding the presser block in the position to which it has been moved by the operator, and a handle for moving the presser block along the presser member, the construction and arrangement being such that movement of the handle in one direction releases the brake so that the presser block may be moved to the desiredposition', and means for automatically applying the brake as soon as the handle 'is released by the operator. 7

11. In a machine of the class described, a work supporting bed, a presser member reciprocable toward and from said bedand provided with a guideway, a block slidable along the guideway so that it maybe positioned over :any desired portion of the bed, a brake mounted on the presser block for engagement with the presser member to hold the presser block in the position to which it has been moved by the operator, a handle for moving the presser block along the presser member, connections between the handle and the brake for releasing the-brake when it is desired to move the presser block, and spring means for returning the brake to operative position when the handle is released by the operator.

12. In a machine of the class described, a

presser member, a presser block slidable along the presser member, plates slidably mounted in the block on opposite sides thereof and'carrying rollers at their upper ends for engagement with the presser member for supporting the block thereon, and flanges fixedly secured to the block and arranged to engage over a surface on the presser member for picking up the block as the presser member starts upwardly after apressure applying operation.

13. In a machine of the character described, a presser member, a block slidable along the presser member, connecting means between said block and presser member comprising anti-friction means for supporting the block for free movement along the presser member, and flanges carried fixedly by the block for engaging over a surface on the presser member so that said fianges support the block as the presser member starts upwardly after a pressure applying operation.

14. In a machine of the class described, a presser member, a presser block slidable along the presser member, plates slidably mounted in the block and carrying rollers at their upper ends forengagement with the presser member for supporting the block thereon, and flanges fixedly secured to the block between adjacent rollers and arranged to engage over a surface on the presser member for taking the load of the block during upward movement of the presser member.

15. In a machine of the character described. a presser member, a block slidable along the presser member. a plate mounted in the block, means for yieldingly connecting the plate to the block for movement therein in directions angularly related to each other and anti-friction means supported by said plate for connecting the blockslidably to the presser member.

16. In a machine of the character described. a presser member, a block slidable along the presser member, a plate mounted in the block, spring means for connecting the plate to the block so that the plate may move vertically in the block under the control of the spring means, and other spring means for holding the plate in normal position in the block and yieldable to permit the plate to move laterally with respect to the block.

i .17. Ina machine of the character de-. scribed, a pressermember, a block slidable along the presser member, supporting members on the block for engaging the presser member, and braking means for holding the block in position to which it has been moved by the operator comprising a brake member carried by the block and located between adjacent supporting members on the block.

"lSJIn armachine of the character described, a presser member, a block slidable along the presser member, and braking means forholding the block in the position to 'WlllCllrlt has been moved by the operator comprising a brake member arranged to extend over asurtace on the presser member f-rictionally' to engage said surface to hold the block in the selected position.

19. In a machine of the character described, a presser member, a block movable along the presser. member, and braking means for holding the'block in the desired position on the presser member comprising a brake member, and means movable selec-' tively in the directions of the back and forth movements of the block for releasin said brake member; Y

20. In a machine of the character described, a presser member, a block movable along the presser member, and braking means for holding the block in the desired position on the presser member comprising a brake member, and a single means mov able in the direction of movement of the block in both of the back and forth movements of the latter for movingthe block and for controlling the brake member.

21. In a machine of the character de.- scribed, a presser member, a block slidable along the presser member, a braking means fo holding'the block in the desired position on the pressermember, and a single means for applying and releasing the braking means comprising a member movable in the direction of movement of the block in both of the back and forth 'movements of the latter for releasing the braking means and for then moving the block along the presser member. I

22. In a machine of the character de scribed, a presser member, ablock slidable along the presser member, a braking member mounted in the block and arranged to engage a. surf-ace on the presser member to hold the block in the desired position, a handlemember for moving the block selec tively in opposite directions along the presser member, and connections between the handle member and the brake for releasing the brake as the handle member is moved ina'direction parallel to the path of the block. I 4

23. In a machine of the character described, a presser member, a block slidab-le on the presser member, and braking means for holding the block in the desired position on the presser member comprising a, brake member designed to engage an upwardly facing surface on the presser member, means for causing the brake member to engage said surface, a handle member for moving the block selectively in opposite directions along the presser member, and connections between said handle member and the brake member for releasing the brake before the handle can operate to move the block.

2 1-. In a machine of the character described, a presser member, a block slid-able along the presser member, and braking means for holding the block in the desired location on the presser member comprising a brake member, spring means for applying the brake member, and a handle member movable in the block for releasing the brake member and operative thereafter for moving the block selectively in a plurality of directions along the presser member. 25. In a. machine of the character described, a presser member, a block movable along the presser member, and braking means for holding the block in the desired position on the presser member comprising a brake member for engaging over a surface on the presser member, spring means for applying the braking member yielding- 1 v to the presser member, a cam for controlling the brake member and a handle member for operating the cam member and for thereafter mom'ng the block.

26. In a machine of the character described, a presser member, a block slidable along the presser member, and braking means for holding the block in the desired location on the presser member comprising a braking member constructed and arranged to engage an upwardly facing surface on the presser member, pring means for holding the braking member in frictional contact with said surface on the presser member, a cam for controlling the braking member, and a handle member carrying said cam and movable to operate the cam and thereafter to move the block along the presser member.

27. In a machine of the character described, a presser member, a block movable along the presser member, and braking means for holding the block in the desired location on the presser member comprising a braking member, spring means for applying the brake member to the presser member. a double cam for moving the braking member to inoperative position, and a handle member carrying said cam and movable to cause the cam to operate the brake member, the spring means and the cam being. cooperative to cause the re-application of the braking member and the returnof the handle to initial position.

28. In a machine of the class described, work sup-porting bed, a presser member movable toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations, a block slidable along the presser member, and means for holding the block against movement lengthwise oi the presser member and in a position which may be determined solely with reference to work located on the work sup;- porting bed.

29. In a machine of the class described, a work supporting bed, a member extending longitudinal of the bed and above the same, and a presser block movable along the member to positions which may be selected solely with reference to the work on the work supporting bed, and means for holding the block in the selected position.

30. In a machine of the class described, a work supporting bed, a member extending longitudinally of the bed and above the same, a presser block movable along the member so as to be positioned solely with retcrcnce to the work on the work support ing bed, means for holding the block in the selected position, anda manually operable member for movingthe block and for controlling said means.

In a machine of the class described, a work supporting bed, a member extending longitudinally above the bed, a presser block movable along said member into and out of operative relation to the work on the work supporting bed, means rigidly connected to the block for sup-porting the presser block during certain periods in each cycle of operations of the machine, and spring means for supporting the block while the latter is at rest.

In a machine of the class described, a work supporting. bed, a member extending longitudinally above the bed. a presser block movable along said member to the desired operative position, a manually operable member tor moving the block and having a yielding connection with the block, and means for returning the manually operable member to its initial position when released by the operator.

33. In a machine of the class described, a work supporting bed,a member extending longitudinally above the bed, a presser block movable along the member to selected position above the work, means forh'olding the block in the position to which it has been moved by the operator, a manually operable member for controlling said means and for moving the block in either direc tion over the bed, and means for holding the manually operable member yieldingly in its normal position of rest.

34. In a machine'of' the class described, two presser members relativelymovable toward and from each other in pressure apply-- ing operations, and a presser block movable along the pressure applying face of one of the presser members to positions which may be selected solely with reference to work placed between the presser members, and means for holding the block in selected position.

35. In a machine of the class described, a work supporting bed, a member extending across the bed in spaced relation there to, a presser block movable along the member so as to be positioned with respect to work located on the bed, interlocking means between the block and the member constructed and arranged to support the block during movement of the member in one direction, and spring means for supporting the block on the member while the member is at rest.

36. In a machine of the class described, a work supporting bed, a member extend-- ing across the bed in spaced relation thereto, and a presser block movable along the member and into and out of operative relation to work on the work supporting bed, the said member having supporting flanges for the presser block, and the block having co-operating flanges designed for direct contact with the supporting flanges of the member whereby a strong and durable connection is provided between the presser block and the supporting member.

87. In a machine of the class described, a work supporting bed, a member extending longitudinally above .the bed in spaced relation thereto, a presser block movable along said member and into and out of operative relation with respect to work on the work supporting bed, and supporting rollers for the presser block yieldingly connected to the block.

88. In a machine of the character described, a work supporting bed, a member extending longitudinally across the bed in spaced relation thereto, a presser block movable along the member and into and out of operative relation to work supported on the work supporting bed, and friction means for holding the block in the desired relation with respect to the work on the bed.

39. In a machine of the character described, a work supporting bed, a member extending longitudinally across the bed in spaced relation thereto, a presser block movable along the member and into and out of operative relation to work supported on the work supporting bed, and manually operable means for moving the block along its supporting member and for holding the block in a position which may be selected solely with respect to work on the work supporting bed.

40. In a machine of the character described, a Work supporting bed, a member extending longitudinally above the bed, a presser blockmovable along the member and into and out of operative relation to work on the work supporting bed, said block being.

so mounted as .to have its operativeface maintained constantly in parallelism with the upper surface, of the work supporting bed, means .for operating the presser block toward and from the bed to apply pressure on the work, and a handle extending laterally from the blockin a position accessible to the operator for controlling the movements of the block in all directions relatively to its supporting member.

41. In a machine of the class described, two presser members relatively movable toward and from each other, a presser block supported on one of the members for movement into and out of operative relation with respect to work located between the members, means for holding the block in selected operative position with respect to the work, means for causing a pressure applying operation of 'the block upon the work, and a single manually operable member for moving the presser block in either direction along its supporting member.

42. In a machine of the class described, two presser members relatively movable toward and. from each other, a presser block supported on one of the members for movement into and out of operative relation with respect to work located between the mem bers, means for causing a pressure applying operation of the block upon the work, and plates yieldingly connected to the presser block and provided with rollers for rotatably engaging with the supporting member for the'block, said block having flanges for rigidly engaging with the supporting member for the block during relative movement supporting bed, interlocking means between the block and its supporting member constructed to hold the block on the member while permitting sliding movement of the block with respect to its supporting member, locking means for ensuring the retention of the presser block in selected operative position on its supporting member, and

means normally operative to facilitate movement of the presser block along its supporting member while the latter is at rest.

44:. In a machine of the class described, a work supporting bed, a member extendin longitudinally above the bed, a presser bloc movable along said member and into and out of operative relationto work on the work supporting bed, interlocking means between the block and its's'upporting member'to support the former on the latter constructed to permit sliding movement of the block with respect to its supporting mem- 5 ber, locking means for ensuring the retention of the presser block in selected operative position on its supporting member, and an anti-friction means for supporting the presser block on its supporting member While the latter is at rest so constructed and 10 arranged as to facilitate relative movement between the block and its supporting member.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

, MILTON H. BALLARD. 

